As the week went on, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones sounded less and less optimistic about the health status of Jalen Reeves-Maybin as he battles a shoulder injury.
Jones said on Monday afternoon that he anticipated him playing, but by the time “Vol Calls” rolled around on Wednesday evening, Jones said they were awaiting some tests to know more. As the Vols get ready to head to Athens on Saturday (3:30 pm ET, CBS), it looks like Reeves-Maybin might be sitting this one out, according to a report from ESPN’s Chris Low.
With Georgia RB Nick Chubb out, it looks like Tennessee will also be without one of its top defenders, OLB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder).
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) October 1, 2016
Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) is already without inside linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr (ankle). and star cornerback Cam Sutton (Ankle). The Vols will likely start Colton Jumper and Cortez McDowell at the two linebacker spots in the base 4-2-5 look. Expect Kenny Bynum, Gavin Bryant, Dillon Bates and Daniel Bituli to see action as well.
Baylen Buchanan and Emmanuel Moseley will start at cornerback, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop confirmed on Wednesday.
Reeves-Maybin has appeared in all four games this season, but Virginia Tech was the only one he saw significant action in. He was ejected for targeting early in the season opener against Appalachian State, he was injured against Ohio and was only able to muster a few series against Florida as he battled the injury.
The senior linebacker has 12 tackles with two stops for loss on the season.
